Hi!
My name is Gillian Forsyth. At the age of 30 I was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes. I am now 44 years of age. I wasn’t much of a runner or an athlete although I had just started doing some running races prior to being diagnosed. I attributed my weight loss/constant sugar cravings and thirst to this recently found sport of running. Finally, experiencing some dizziness, I actually went to the doctor who promptly told me to go to emergency as I had had diabetes for several months and my blood was dangerously high in sugar and had been for quite sometime. I was close to going into a diabetic coma. Since then I have dabbled in endurance sports. Competing in marathons, adventure races and 24 hour mountain biking. And later, ironmen – halfs and fulls.
I have completed 21 marathons, 2 of which were part of an ironman race. I have qualified for the Boston marathon 4 times and have run it 3 times (2004,2005,2008) and have placed in my age group at several running events. I am a two time ironman finisher. September 2011 Wisconsin and May 2012 Texas. Over the years I have grown to know how running is impacted by diabetes and visa versa. I am now trying to figure out ironmen. Its a whole new ball game!!!
This summer I am trying my hand at coaching. I will be coaching the American Diabetes Association marathon training group as part of fitness formula clubs.
Hey there…..I have been recently searching the web for more detailed info regarding triathlon training and diabetes. In a nutshell, many of your experiences resemble mine. I was laughing so hard at the dentist story…..I may have said…..”what was your last ironman finish like”? I just finished Syracuse 70.3…..wow tough course! It made me realize even more my passion is the oly length and I am looking forward to Vermont AG nationals. I feel I have a more experienced handle on my bg readings at this level. I am 37 years old and have been diagnosed for nearly 16 years. I have the minimed pump and use the cgm…..couldn’t live without the sensor! I plan on looking into more resources…..too bad I don’t live closer…..I am in temperance,mi. Well, take care and thanks for the dentist story”) Julie
Glad you liked it! Stay in touch. Let me know how nationals go! That is awesome. I’ve never been good a short course anything, I prefer marathons over 5k’s and ironmen over olympics… I like slow and steady. Its certainly not easy. I plan on doing more Ironmen and hopefully I’ll learn a bit each time
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